When I
hear about age-friendly communities it is usually concerning the inclusion of
older adults, including those at the oldest ages, so they can stay connected
and actively participate in community activities; and for older adults who can
no longer care for themselves providing appropriate supports.

But
that is just the quick and dirty explanation. This Wednesday, May 23rd,
you can learn more about age-friendly communities and share how age-friendly you
feel The Dalles is in areas such as housing, transportation, public spaces and
civic participation. Oregon AARP is facilitating this community conversation
which will be held at the Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) office
at 401 E. 3rd Street, The Dalles, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on the 23rd.

Staff
from Oregon AARP will collect your ideas and priorities and will use them to help
guide their work in helping communities become more livable and Oregon an
age-friendly state – as well as sharing the information with the Governor’s
Commission on Senior Services and decision makers across the state.

But
even though in the field of aging, the emphasis is on older people, the idea of
age friendly communities is about supporting ALL ages. And although we often
think our communities don’t have adequate supports and infrastructure for older
people, the same can be said for our youth - whether it is a lack of sidewalks
for children to walk to school, transportation options, healthy social
activities – or a lack of respect.

One
coalition trying to address the needs of our youth by building upon their
strengths is the Gorge Youth Center. On May 12th I attended the
dedication of the site for the future Gorge Youth Center and it was inspiring
hearing the passion and vision for how the Youth Center will make a positive
difference for our youth and the whole community.

As
with the Center whose focus is older adults but serves and supports all ages,
the Gorge Youth Center will be similar but focusing on our youth while open to
all ages. For example, in the initial design there is an indoor track which will
provide a place for older adults to walk during the winter cold and the summer heat.

But
the Gorge Youth Center will not be possible without the support of the whole
community and particularly, older adults. Older adults are often portrayed as a
liability to society. But according to the report “Longevity Economics”
developed by the Gerontological Society of America, people aged 50 years or
older make nearly 70% of the contributions to charities, churches, and other
philanthropic organizations - averaging $100 billion per year.

We as
the older generations will have to step up to make this dream a reality - just
as we have with the Center’s UpLifting Elevator project, The Library’s
Children’s Wing and the restoration of the Civic Auditorium. I hope you take
time to learn more about the Gorge Youth Center and how you can financially
support this important effort.

And a
special challenge to my fellow Boomers. We were the children of what has been
appropriately call the “Greatest Generation”. But aren’t we the “Can Do”
generation? Maybe we haven’t changed the world – or maybe we have, but we can
continue use our “Can Do” attitude to make the Youth Center a reality and The
Dalles a healthier community for ALL ages.

The
religious leader who hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour before hosting two television programs and was
Bishop Fulton Sheen. (I received only one correct answer and that was from Lana
Tepfer who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.)

Once
in a while I get whiff of this oil’s aroma that immediately takes me back to
the 60’s – and I don’t mean a whiff of what is now legal up and down the west
coast. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what is the name of the oil
derived from a plant native to tropical Southeast Asian countries; been
described as having a dark, musky-earthy aroma; and was associated with the
“counterculture” movement of the 60’s? Email your answer to
www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop it off
with a muddy ticket from the Woodstock Music Festival.

Well,
it’s been another week, sticking notes in odd places. Until we meet again, don’t
take life so seriously you don’t leave room for life’s silliness.

“Grandchildren
are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.” Lois Wyse

Follow by Email

Become a 2018 Member TODAY!

Open Weekdays 9:00 - 4:00 plus evenings and weekends for regular events.
Located in The Dalles, Oregon in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, we work hard to fulfill our mission: "to promote healthy aging by sharing and caring". We provide numerous activities and programs that nourish the mind, body and spirit.
The director, Scott McKay writes a weekly column for The Dalles Chronicle and his ramblings and thoughts are published on this blog for your review.